Hanger device for electric fixtures



Feb; 3, 1931. E. F. SMITH ET AL o HANGER DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC FIXTURESFiled Feb. 7, '1929 10:5 .0 0 m o m m H R s N a M R Z z m W m /mmi mm Wfl L r a Patented Feb. 3, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcs gem...

EARL F. SMITH AND GUY KENNETH WILSON, OF MUNCIE, INDIANA, ASSIGNORS TOMIDWEST METAL PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF MUNCIE, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OFINDIANA HANGER DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC FIXTURES Application filed February7, 1929. Serial No. 838,126.

This invention relates to improvements in support-devices of the bartype used in building construction, and which are intended for electricoutlet boxes, and electric service de- 5 vices such as lighting fixturesand the like.

The invention has reference especially to a support device of the kindreferred to, which consists primarily of a slender metal bar adapted tobe secured in position between the 10 ceiling joists or wall studding.

The objects of our invention are to provide a device of the kinddescribed, which is economical of manufacture,'strong and dur able, andwhich will afford means for the suspension or support, at practicallyany location within the area of the ceiling or wall.

Our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and describedand claimed in the following specification and claims.

Figure 1 is a side view of our improved hanger device.

Figure 2 is a top' plan view of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a view showing theposition of the hanger device when the point of suspento be equidistantbetween the joists or studdings.

Figure 4 is a view showing an outlet box supported by the hanger bar.

0 Our invention broadly stated, contemplates the providing of a barhaving angular bends therein, spaced apart, and in such relation to theends of the bar, that oppositely extending arms and an intermediateoffset body portion a eccentric thereto, are provided, and there being aconnecting stud provided on the said body portion of the bar.

In carrying out the purposes of our invention, the said bar is of steelor iron, and may be one-half inch wide and three-sixteenths of an inchin thickness, and of predetermined length. At a predeterminedintermediate point 1, the bar is bent upon itself. At a relatively shortdistance from 1 it is then bent in opposite directions, there being thusconsti- .tuted the integral stud A. Thence, at relatively shortdistances from the stud, by slight oblique bends, and then again inopposite directions, and I thence at right angles, and thence inopposite directions, the bar will sion or support of the outlet box orfixture, is

have been fashioned into the formation as shown in Figure 1, there beingthe offsets B of the body portion B, the bends C and C, and the arms Dand E.

The arms D and E are of. unequal lengths, and are in straight alignmentwith each other. In each of the said arms, spaced holes D and E areprovided in the successive order, as shown in Figure 2. These holespermit the passing of a small nail or screw, for the securing of the barto the face of the joist or studding. The stud A, formed in the mannerabove described, has a longitudinal slot A, the function of which willpresently be referred'to. e

The only'work in processing this article, other than the bending thereofas just described, is the milling of the end, and of the corners of thestud, and then the threading of same for the accommodation of fitting.of

I standard t e or of such other t oe as ma be 7 yr desired. Threaded,and movable freely on the said stud, is the nut G.

In supplying this improved article to the trade, the bars and the nutstherefor, arepreferably packed separately, for economy and conveniencein packing and handling. For the general purpose for which the articleis intended, the stud is providedwith the usual standard iron pipethread common to the fittings of electric service devices generallyforwhich the invention is intended. 7

To use the invention, the bar is disposed in engagementwith the faces ofthe joists or studs, at position so that the location desired for thestud A is obtained. Then by a nail or nails applied through the arms Dand E, the device is secured in its position. Features of the inventionare the extreme simplicit of its. construction, and the ease with whicit is capableof being used for-all of the general purposes for which itis intended.

In. an instance :where the outlet box or fixture is to be supported at alocation occurring equidistant between the joists or studding, the baris secured in the position, as shownv in Figure 3. g

'If the position for the box occurs at a location to' the rightof thesaid central position, then the hanger is set at the position asindicated by the dot-ted lines. If the outlet occurs at a location tothe left of the said central position, then the hanger bar is turned endfor end, and whereby the stud is readily brought to the desiredposition.

The effectiveness of the support by our improved hanger bar, of theoutlet box is easily understood by reference to Figure 4. T0 attach theoutlet box it is simply disposed in place, the stud Aprotrudingfitherethrough the usual knoclnout opening in the rear side ofthe box. The offsets provided by the portions B and B, permit of a fullthread entirely to the base of the stud, so that when the nut is screwedon the stud, the rear side of the box is secure and direct engagementwith the body portions B and B of the bar.

The length of the bends C and C, in the hanger bar as illustrated in thedrawing, is suitable for an outlet box having depth of one and one-halfinches. For a box of this size, the device is designated as the shallowtype hanger. For a box of the larger size, and which is about one andthree-quarters inches in depth, a deep type hanger is provided, it beingthe same in all respects, as the former, except as to the lengths of thebends C and C. In supplying this improved article to the trade, the barsand the nuts G therefor, are preferably packed separately, forreasons ofeconomy, and for convenience in packing and handling. 1

The slot A provides facility for the easy insertion into the space to beenclosed by the box, of the terminal portions of the electric wires orconductors which occur at said outlet. Another function of the stud isthat it constitutes means to which the fitting of the electric servicedevice or fixture may be attached.

What we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is'

1. Ahanger device ofv the kind described, consisting of a barprovidedwith a double bend in its intermediate portion, thence at a relativelyshort distance from the end of said double bend, being bent at anglestoprovide aligned oppositely extending arms, the portion of the bar thatis comprised in said double bend being threaded, and there being a nutscrewed thereon.

2. A hanger device of the kind described, consisting of a metal bar bentupon itself at a predetermined intermediate point, thence, at arelatively short distance from said point, being bent in oppositedirections, there being thus constituted an integral centrally slottedstud, thence, the bar at relatively short distances from the stud, beingprovided with shallow oblique bends, and being extended in oppositedirections, thence. at. right angles, and thence again in oppositedirections, whereby to provide shallow offsets adjacent the said stud, abody portion at each side of the said offsets, and oppositely extendingand thence in opposite directions, the arms thus formed bein of unequallengths, the said stud being threaded, and there being a nut screwed onthe said stud.

In testimony whereof we afix our signatures.

EARL F. SMITH.

GUY KENNETH 'WILSON.

